PORT'S HIRE LAUNCHES.
LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT. REPLY TO THE MINISTER. Proprietors of launches plying for hire have taken exception to a statement made last Friday by the Minister for Marine, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, that he had been informed that launches on the Waitemata Harbour carrying from 25 to 30 passengers were without life-saving appliances and with only one man as a crew. The Minister indicated that the Marine Department was about to investigate the conditions. He thought it likely that launches would liave to carry a dinghy, adequate life-saving apparatus, and two men as a crew. Discussing the Minister's remarks on Saturday, Mr. N. J. Inglis, a well-known launch proprietor, said, that the conditions referred to did not apply to passenger launches plying for hire. Such launches were subjected to stringent Government tests before they were granted licenses, and each year were taken out of the water and thoroughly tested by the Government surveyor, attention being given to life-sav-ing and fire-fighting appliances. In addition, harbour board officials inspected the boats whenever they chose. Substantial penalties were inflicted where requirements were not adhered to, and if even one passenger over the licensed number were carried owners or masters were liable'to a penalty not exceeding £2O and a further penalty for each passenger. If an owner were twice convicted his license was cancelled. Among the appliances always carried by passenger launches plying for hiro were fire extinguishers of approved type, two life-buoys, and the required number of life-jackets. When passengers were carried t-bo crew always consisted of two. Sails wero stored in case of any serious mishap to the engines. " I have plied for hire for 12 years," concluded Mr. Inglis, " and during that time I have known of no serious accidents or fires on launches plying for hire. Neither have I heard of any instance of the Government regulations being disregarded." «i" -
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18950, 23 February 1925, Page 10
Word Count
312PORT'S HIRE LAUNCHES. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18950, 23 February 1925, Page 10
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